Ilex plant named &#39;EN2&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Ilex  plant named ‘EN2’, characterized by its uniform and mounding plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; glossy medium green-colored leaves; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Ilex×hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘0\12’

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS:

Filed: Feb. 9, 2016

Application Ser. No. 14/998,742

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct Ilex plant, botanically known as Ilex×hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘EN2’.

The new Ilex plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Poplarville, Miss. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new large, dense and uniform Ilex plants with mounding or pyramidal plant form and dark green-colored leaves.

The new Ilex plant originated from a cross-pollination during the spring of 2003 of an unidentified proprietary selection of Ilex×hybrida, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with Ilex×hybrida, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,487, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Ilex plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor in 2005 as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled environment in Poplarville, Miss.

Asexual reproduction of the new Ilex plant by softwood cuttings in Poplarville, Miss. since 2006 has shown that the unique features of the new Ilex plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Ilex have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘EN2’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘EN2’ as a new and distinct Ilex plant:

-   -   1. Uniform and mounding plant habit.     -   2. Freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit.     -   3. Glossy medium green-colored leaves.     -   4. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Ilex differ from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex are more uniform and denser than         plants of the female parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex have better leaf retention than plants         of the female parent selection.     -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Ilex are glossier and darker         green in color than leaves of plants of the female parent         selection.

Plants of the new Ilex differ from plants of the male parent, ‘Conaf’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex are more compact and mounding than         plants of ‘Conaf’.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex have smaller leaves than plants of         ‘Conaf’.

Plants of the new Ilex can be compared to plants of Ilex×hybrida ‘EN1 ’, disclosed in U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 14/998,742. Plants of the new Ilex differ from plants of ‘EN1’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex are taller than plants of ‘EN1’.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex are more vigorous than plants of         ‘EN1’.     -   3. Plants of the new Ilex are more freely branching than plants         of ‘EN1’.

Plants of the new Ilex can be compared to the plants of Ilex×meservaea ‘Blue Princess’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Poplarville, Miss., plants of the new Ilex differed from plants of ‘Blue Princess’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex were more compact, mounding and         uniform than plants of ‘Blue Princess’.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex had larger leaves than plants of ‘Blue         Princess’.     -   3. Plants of the new Ilex and ‘Blue Princess’ differed in fruit         color as plants of ‘Blue Princess’ had darker red-colored         fruits.

Plants of the new Ilex can be compared to the plants of Ilex×meservaea ‘Mesog’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,878. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Poplarville, Miss., plants of the new Ilex differed from plants of ‘Mesog’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex had larger leaves than plants of         ‘Mesog’.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex and ‘Mesog’ differed in fruit color as         plants of ‘Mesog’ had darker red-colored fruits.

Plants of the new Ilex can also be compared to the plants of Ilex×meserveae ‘Magland’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,878. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Poplarville, Miss. plants of the new Ilex differed from plants of ‘Magland’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Ilex were more mounding than and not as         upright and pyramidal as plants of ‘Magland’.     -   2. Plants of the new Ilex were smaller than and not as apically         dominant as plants of ‘Magland’.     -   3. Plants of the new Ilex had glossier leaves than plants of         ‘Magland’.     -   4. Plants of the new Ilex were more freely flowering and         fruiting than plants of ‘Magland’.     -   5. Plants of the new Ilex and ‘Magland’ differed in fruit color         as plants of ‘Magland’ had lighter red-colored fruits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Ilex plant. The photographs show the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new Ilex plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of typical plants of ‘EN2’.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of a stem of ‘EN2’ with leaves and developing and developed fruits.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the autumn in #7 containers in a polypropylene-covered shadehouse in Park Hill, Okla. and under cultural practices typical of commercial Ilex production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 23° C. and night temperatures averaged 9° C. Plants were eight years old when the photographs and detailed description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Ilex×hybrida ‘EN2’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Unidentified proprietary selection             of Ilex×hybrida, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Ilex×hybrida ‘Conaf’, disclosed in             U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,487. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By softwood cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About three weeks at             temperatures about 32° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About six weeks at             temperatures about 5.5° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four             months at temperatures about 32° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About six             months at temperatures about 5.5° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fleshy; typically             white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and             formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of             roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Perennial shrub; uniform and             mounding plant habit; vigorous growth habit.         -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit; dense and bushy             growth habit with about 35 lateral branches developing per             plant.         -   Plant height.—About 3 meters to 3.6 meters.         -   Plant diameter, area of spread.—About 2.4 meters to 3             meters.         -   Lateral branch description.—Length: About 45.75 cm.             Diameter: About 1.3 cm to 3.8 cm. Internode length: About             2 cm. Strength: Strong; stiff, not flexible. Texture:             Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 144A.         -   Leaf buds.—Length: About 1.5 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm.             Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 59B.         -   Leaf description.—Arrangement: Alternate, simple. Length:             About 6.5 cm. Width: About 3.4 cm. Shape: Ovate to             lanceolate. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire             with spines. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Aspect: Mostly             horizontal. Fragrance: None detected. Texture and luster,             upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Texture and luster,             lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Developing             leaves, upper surface: Close to 144A. Developing leaves,             lower surface: Close to 143D. Fully expanded leaves, upper             surface: Close to N134B; venation, close to 143C. Fully             expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 143A; venation,             close to 143 C. Petioles: Length: About 8 mm. Diameter:             About 2 mm. Aspect: About 30° from stem axis. Texture, upper             and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower             surfaces: Close to 143C.         -   Stipules.—Stipule development has not been observed on             plants of the new Ilex. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower appearance and arrangement.—Axillary rotate flowers             arranged in clusters; flowers face upright to outwardly;             flowers inconspicuous; about 5 to 50 flowers develop per             lateral branch.         -   Natural flowering season.—Plants flower during the spring in             Oklahoma.         -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about four days on the plant;             flowers not persistent.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Flower diameter.—About 3.5 mm by 5 mm.         -   Flower length (height).—About 3.5 mm.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 2 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm.             Shape: Ovoid. Color: Close to 140B.         -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: Four in a single whorl.             Length: About 2 mm. Width: About 1.5 mm. Shape: Obovate.             Apex: Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper             and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening,             upper and lower surfaces: Close to 155D. Fully opened, upper             and lower surfaces: Close to 155D; color does not change             with development.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Four in a single whorl;             fused at the base, imbricate. Length: About 1 mm. Diameter:             About 1.5 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate,             fused. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to             144C.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 8mm. Diameter: Less than 1 mm.             Aspect: About 45° from stem axis. Strength: Strong;             flexible. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 144C.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Quantity per flower: About             four. Filament length: About 1 mm. Filament color: Close to             4D. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther shape: Ovoid. Anther             color: Close to 2C. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color:             Close to 2D. Gynoecium: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil             length: About 1.5 mm. Style color: Close to 140B. Stigma             shape: Globular with three lobes. Stigma color: Close to             140B. Ovary color: Close to 140B.         -   Fruits.—Length: About 7 mm. Diameter: About 7 mm. Shape:             Ovoid. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 44B.         -   Seeds.—Quantity per fruit: About four. Length: About 7 mm.             Diameter: About 3 mm. Shape: Oblong. Texture: Smooth,             glabrous. Color: Close to 152D. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Ilex have been observed to     have good garden performance and to be tolerant to rain, wind and     low temperatures about −23° C. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Ilex have been     observed to be resistant to root rots, Phytophthora and Pythium, and     to be tolerant to Melon Aphids (Aphis gossypii) and Two-spotted     Spider Mites (Tetranychus urticae). 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Ilex plant named ‘EN2’ as illustrated and described. 